To:     Undersecretaries
Assistant Secretaries
Bureau Directors
Directors of Services, Centers and Heads of Units
Regional Directors
Schools Division Superintendents
Heads, Public and Private Elementary and Secondary Schools
All Others Concerned

1. Pursuant to Section 18 of Republic Act (RA) No. 8491, otherwise known as the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines, all government offices and educational institutions are required to participate in the Observance/Conduct of Flag Raising Ceremonies every Monday morning and Flag Lowering Ceremonies every Friday afternoon.
2. While there is no law categorically stating the order of a public ceremony, specifically, whether the singing of the Philippine National Anthem should come before or after the invocation, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) Protocol on the Observance of Commemorative Events provides that the singing of the Philippine National Anthem should come before the invocation in official government functions. However, this may be distinguished from programs or gatherings that are religious in nature or are sponsored by or conducted in private schools or in “faith-based” institutions.
3. In view of this, the following guidelines are hereby issued in the Observance/Conduct of Flag Raising and Lowering Ceremonies and Proper Sequence in Official DepEd Programs Involving the Singing of the Philippine National Anthem:
   1. Flag Raising Ceremonies
      1. All officials and employees from the central, regional, schools division offices and public schools nationwide, including all public school learners who have morning classes, are required to join the conduct of Flag Raising Ceremonies with the following sequence:
         1. Singing of Lupang Hinirang;
         2. Interfaith Prayers;
         3. Recitation of Panunumpa ng Katapatan sa Watawat ng Pilipinas; and
         4. Recitation of Panunumpa ng Lingkod Bayan by all Department officials and employees only.
      2. In the conduct of Flag Raising Ceremonies in private schools or “faith-based” learning institutions, however, the foregoing sequence with respect to the singing of the Philippine National Anthem and Invocation need not be observed. Thus, the invocation is optional or may be done prior to the singing of the Philippine National Anthem. In either case, the recitation of the Panunumpa ng Katapatan sa Watawat ng Pilipinas should follow.
      3. The flag shall be raised in strict compliance with Section 21 of RA  8491 which provides:

2. Official Programs Involving the Singing of the Philippine National Anthem
   1. In case of official DepEd programs conducted in the central, regional, schools division offices and public schools nationwide involving the singing of the Philippine National Anthem, the singing of the Lupang Hinirang should be done before the Invocation at the start of the program proper. The Panunumpa ng Katapatan sa Watawat ng Pilipinasand the Panunumpa ng Lingkod Bayan need not be recited.
   2. In programs held in private schools, “faith-based” learning instutions, and other gatherings religious in nature, however, the invocation is optional or may be done prior to the singing of the Philippine National Anthem at the start of the program proper.
3. Flag Lowering Ceremonies

4. A copy of the Panunumpa ng Katapatan sa Watawat ng Pilipinas is contained in Enclosure No. 1,  and of the Panunumpa ng Lingkod Bayan in Enclosure No. 2 for reference and guidance in the recitation thereof.
5. This DepEd Order (DO) shall take effect immediately. All provisions in DOs and other related issuances, which are inconsistent with these guidelines are hereby repealed, rescinded, or modified accordingly.
6. All regional directors, schools division superintendents, heads of public and private elementary and secondary schools are enjoined to extend full administrative support to ensure the appropriate observance/conduct of Flag Ceremonies in their respective areas.
7. Immediate dissemination of and strict compliance with this Order is directed.

(Sgd.) BR. ARMIN A. LUISTRO FSC
Secretary

Encls: As stated

References:
DepEd Order Nos. 15, s. 1995 and 9, s. 2003

To be indicated in the Perpetual Index under the following subjects:
BUREAUS AND OFFICES
EMPLOYEES
FLAG
OFFICIALS
POLICY
RULES AND REGULATIONS

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